Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-09-09
LUBBER DICK.
BY j. NJ. MERRILL.

"He's lubbcr, and no mistake"
And that is what we all thought.
Sleepy-eyed, slow of movement, barefoot,
ragged and not overly c'ean, he pre-
sented himself at the door of Woodlands
mill shanty and asked for job
Dan Chambers, the giant of our crew,
stepped aside with the ragged tramp and
held a whispered consultation, every
now and then winking with his off eye
at tbc. boys standing about.
After little the fellow walked away,
passing throught the gate with listless
air, and clumping down the road
amidst chorus of laughter and sarcastic
remarks from the assembled millmen.
"Wall, by thunder! see, boys, the
feler is goin' inter Major Woodlands
yard" cried Sam Horton, the sandy
teamster, with broad grin.
"Of course" returned Chambers. "He
wants job, and sent him to the old
man."
"Look out, Dan, you'll go too far in
your jokes yet"
"Botheration! Ireckon the Major can
see good thing as well as the next man.
He'll tell the lubber that he amt hiring
men just now, and that II be the end OF
it."
But it was not the end of it by any
means.
That night Lubber Dick, as he called
himself. appeared at the shanty in nea
new overalls and wamus, the gift of thu
Major he said, much to the astonishmen
of the boys. And he was hired, too, ant
given u place in the mill, much to tn,
surprise and disgust of Dan Chamber
and others. Lubber Dick was good for
nothing tramp, and the idea of putting
him among decent men was insufferable.
"We'll catch some unheard-of diseas
from the critter," avowed the teamster
"and for one don't mean TO stand it
Tll quit first. The old Major must a-bel
crazy"
"Wait," urged Dan Chambers. ether
was q man needed in the mill, and tn
Major hired the first one that came along
Trust it to me, boys, he won't stay long
I'll send him off with flea in his ear be
fore he's been here week."
was boy then, choring about tn
| COOh . olldIlIN. saw IuDDCl blCh On
evenings and at meal time. He was nc
prepossessing nor smart; this l though
was reason enough for giving hil
respectful treatment. A gang of men al
sometimes the most unreasonable being
on earth, and Woodlands crew were c
this sort
Scarcely word fell from the lips {
Lubber Dick while in the house. H
was a morose, unpleasant fellow, and til
jokes aimed at him fell on barren grouuC
Ridicule had no effect on his obtus
nature. Dan Chambers began to fe
desperate.
"Ill fix him yet" he muttered in m
hearing one morning. Tonight we'
to have wrtstle. The Digit boys a
coming over, and you may look for bi
time. l think Lubber Dick won't wal
any truck with milmen after tonight"
This put the man addressed, Horto
in good humor, and so all went we'll tn
day.
The sun was an hour high when
goodly company assembled on the tu
in front of our shanty a ring was formt
and the wrestling began. Dan Chambe
was our champion, but tonight he wel
down before the prowess of Hi Digit
the opposition crew.
,, "Will you permit me to take hold2"
All were astonished when Lubber Die
: put this question to Chambers
eyes; take hold" growled Dan, al
turned moodily away, The crowd W
breaking up. Our side had lost. and Il
trick Chambers had meditated again
! Lubber Dick was forgotten in chagr
over defeat
I "Ha! look therem
1t was a sight to see. Hiram Dig
, lay on his back under the knee of t
! tramp.
S "Eh?"
!. Dan Chambers rubbed his eyes,
"You can't do it again." grow
! Digit, enraged at losing the champio
+ ship.
o 81 can try" was Lubber Dicks
). response. lie did try, and again t
; champion was laid low After the thi
q fall the Dights gave it up, and Lubt
d Dick was the hero of the hour. Sucl
/, shout as rent the heavens 1t is ringi
: in my ears yet.
Is Is A sudden revolution took place, a
v no one wanted Lubber Dick turn
I, adrift now. Stay, there was one. d
?. Chambers had been our leader and cha
, y pion boxer and wrestler, and now
i, was bounced in a twinkling, and t
1t tramp workman occupied his place.
From that hour the boys of our or,
1T defended Lubber Dick. and Dan Cha
2 q bers became his deadly enemy.
What little things change the VIII,
ID course of human events. The gay a
st companionable Chambers became glool
d and sour. He lost no opportunity
- - tease Lubber Dick, and tried hard
ID involve him in a quarrel.
nil ..AAo.I,, xafuca1 MALL, -